Why You Get Stuffy Nose After Drinking Alcohol and How to Stop It

While specific ingredients in alcoholic beverages may cause allergic reactions, there is no known comprehensive list that guarantees the prevention of alcohol-induced sneezing. Understanding these factors can help identify potential triggers and provide effective strategies for managing or preventing sneezing. While it may be sneezing while drinking more common than you think, it can be a sign of a mild allergic Alcoholics Anonymous reaction to alcohol.

What In Red Wine Causes Allergies?

Or, maybe you’re sensitive to sulfites or other chemicals in alcoholic beverages, resulting in nausea or headaches. Another possibility is that alcohol can induce an allergic reaction in some individuals. Certain components of alcoholic beverages, such as histamines and sulfites, can act as triggers for allergy-like symptoms, including sneezing. It is important to seek medical advice as soon as possible if you experience any of these symptoms after drinking wine. A doctor will be able to determine the cause of your symptoms and provide appropriate medical treatment.

“Reactions to alcohol are unlikely to be caused by a ‘true’ allergy,” explains Holly Shaw, Nurse Advisor at Allergy UK. This happens because body is not able to tolerate the alcohol which circulates in blood. Additionally, the preservatives used in alcohol too can be harsh on your stomach, increasing the chances of allergic reactions causing stuffy nose or sinus congestion.

Allergy to Specific Ingredients

• If you’re frequently sneezing after drinking, you must see a doctor as there may be an underlying condition that needs to be treated.
• It is usually caused by genetic variations in the ALDH2 gene, which produces the enzyme that metabolizes alcohol.
• Specifically, genetic changes that make your corresponding ALDH2 enzyme bad at its job.
• Epsom salt baths may help with sulphite sensitivity over time, as well as a mineral called molybdenum which can be taken as a supplement.
• Research shows that around 8% of people experience symptoms like nasal congestion, flushed skin, or even headaches while drinking wine.
• The build-up of histamines can then trigger the allergy-like symptoms when certain foods or drinks, such as alcohol, are consumed.
• If you are experiencing any of these symptoms after consuming wine, it could be because you are allergic to one or more components found in the beverage.

In conclusion, the exact reasons behind why some people sneeze after drinking alcohol are not definitively known. The most commonly proposed explanations include congestion, allergies, nerve stimulation, and genetic factors. If this phenomenon causes significant distress or worsens over time, it is recommended to consult with a healthcare professional to rule out any underlying issues. Histamine intolerance or sensitivity can make it difficult for the body to metabolize the histamines found in beer. If you’re allergic to alcohol, you may experience hives, itching, swelling, difficulty breathing, and wheezing.

Tannins are natural compounds found in many plants, including the skins, seeds, and stems of grapes. These are what give wine its bitterness, mouthfeel, and complex flavours, as they seep into the wine during the winemaking process. Tannins are more abundant in red wines but can also be present in white wines too. A few alcohols are less likely to trigger symptoms in people with alcohol intolerance. However, if you have alcohol intolerance, you must talk to your doctor about which alcohols are best for you to drink. If you’re allergic to wine, you may notice that you sneeze more after drinking it.

Medical Conditions

Some people are super sensitive to all wines and get on better with another low-tannin alcohol such as gin, vodka, rum, or tequila. If you’re frequently sneezing after drinking, you must see a doctor as there may be an underlying condition that needs to be treated. If you find that certain drinks trigger your sneezing, try switching to a different type of alcohol. And if cocktails make you sneeze, try making your own with fresh fruit juices instead of pre-made mixes. We may never know for sure but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a glass of vino every now and then.

• People with less active ALDH2 enzymes have difficulty breaking down alcohol, leading to uncomfortable reactions.
• If sneezing persists or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms, consult a healthcare provider.
• Asthmatics, for example, are at an increased risk of having a reaction to sulfite-containing food.
• The fermentation and ageing process of making wine directly produces histamines, the chemicals your body makes in response to allergy triggers.
• When these membranes detect an irritant, they send signals to the brain, which then coordinates a sneeze to clear the irritant.
• In fact, a small 2014 study of Chinese people with a beer allergy found that sensitivity to sorghum or sorghum malt was the most common cause.

Can antihistamines help alleviate alcohol-induced sneezing?

Symptoms of histamine intolerance can include sneezing, hives, headaches, nausea, and digestive issues—similar to a common allergic response. This will help reduce your nose’s contact with the drink and make it less likely to trigger a sneeze. Spirits such as vodka and gin can also cause sneezing due to the presence of histamines. In addition, some people find that the alcohol in these drinks irritates their nose, leading to sneezing.

When it comes to how alcohol impacts asthma, the conclusions are less set-in stone. Researchers are still trying to uncover the exact link, but some studies suggest alcohol makes asthma symptoms worse and can even lead to asthma attacks. Wine-intolerant persons were also more likely to report intolerance to beer and alcohol in general. For a minor reaction, over-the-counter or prescription antihistamines might help reduce symptoms, such as itching or hives. Beer and wine, in addition to being high in histamine, can aggravate a runny nose or nasal congestion. Whatever the source, sneezing after drinking beer is a phenomenon that many people have experienced.

In one 2005 Swedish study, those with asthma, bronchitis and hay fever were more apt to sneeze, get a runny nose or have “lower-airway symptoms” after a drink, especially women. In most cases, alcohol-induced sneezing is harmless and not indicative of an underlying medical condition. Hodgkin lymphoma is a blood cancer that can affect a person’s lymphatic system. People with this condition usually experience swelling in the lymph nodes in areas including the neck, armpits, or groin.

You’ll have those same symptoms and a more intense reaction, wheezing, difficulty swallowing, low blood pressure, and heart palpitations, he says. If people experience symptoms after drinking alcohol, they should speak with a doctor for further advice. Additionally, some people may experience swelling of the lips, tongue and throat. Besides wines, fruits like bananas, kiwi, melons, and grapes can also contain sulfites, though in much smaller amounts. It is not known for certain why some people experience sinus congestion after drinking red wine, but it is believed to be due to a combination of factors. Some people may be more sensitive to the histamines in red wine than others, which can lead to inflammation in the nose and sinus cavities.

Red Wine And Nasal Congestion

Furthermore, it is important for winemakers to be aware of their own practices and processes in order to avoid introducing too much histamine into the wine during production. Knowing the potential risk posed by histamines will help ensure that the wine is safe and enjoyable for everyone to consume. Ok, so now that we’ve answered the question – why does my nose get stuffy when I drink? If you react to the tannins in red wine, then you might find it easier on your system to choose white and sparkling wines.